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to her a new chapter in her favourite volume-the book of human life; and the advocate, a man of high talent and a benevolent heart, seemed to regard him with the feelings of an affectionate son. At length, however, he began to weary sadly of what he termed the life of a gentleman, and to sigh after his little smoky cottage, and "the puir auld wife." "Just remain with us one week longer," said the advocate, "and I shall learn in that time the result of my application. You are not now quite so active a man as when you carried me ten miles through the snow, and so I shall secure for you a passage in one of the Leith traders."

In a few days after, when the boatman was in the middle of one of his most interesting stories, and Mrs. Hamilton highly delighted, the advocate entered the apartment, his eyes beaming with pleasure, and a packet in his hand. "This is from London," he said, as he handed it to the lady; "it intimates to us, that 'Alexander Wright, Custom-house boatman,' is to retire from the service on a pension of £20 per annum."

But why dwell longer on the story? Sandy Wright parted from his kind friends, and returned to Cromarty, where he died in the spring of 1769, in the eighty-second year of his age. "Folk hae aye to learn," he used to say, "an', for my own pairt, I was a saxty-year-auld scholar afore I kent the meaning o' the verse, 'Cast thy bread on the waters, and thou shalt find it after many days.'"-From Miller's Scenes and Legends of the North of Scotland.

KIND WORDS TO THE ERRING.

In the pleasant village in which I resided at the time of my narrative, there stood a low tenement, under the shadow of an old mansion-house, which was usually occupied by some poor family. It looked lonely and comfortless enough in the vicinity of large, substantial buildings, surrounded with all the appliances of wealth, and filled with the good things of this life. But there it stood for many a year, the inhabitants moving in and coming out without exciting attention or enquiry. At length it was occupied by a family, consisting of an aged widow, her daughter, and two young children, taking with them, unhappily, a ruined reputation and its frequent attendant, poverty.

They had come from the outskirts of the parish, and planted themselves down in our village the abode of wealth, of good order, propriety, of even goodness, of piety, and just within reach of the church!

What was to be done? For some weeks no one noticed them, or thought it even safe to employ them, as was before cus tomary with the occupants of this poor tenement. Yet there was something touching in the fact that the poor daughter, in her desolation, had ventured to approach so near with her helpless charge-that old woman her mother, and those two children her nieces. And for what purpose had she come hither to this central spot of light, and morality, and religion? Apparently, it was to gain a livelihood for these dependants, and by her single arm to give them bread and clothing.

It was a providential circumstance, that just at this time I was in want of a washerwoman; and on making enquiry, the story of this unhappy girl was related-" But," added my informant, "you cannot employ her; she is so dishonest that nothing is safe within her reach."

"Poor thing! Has she, then, in her despair, been driven to this method of sus taining that trembling old woman and those children of misery? I think I will venture to employ her."

"Well, you may if you please; but I advise you to lock up your stores, and even your cellar. She is a cunning creature, and I would count every article you give her."

That day Mwas sent for, and the next morning she made her appearance, looking strong and able to do a good day's work.

At the customary hour the bell for prayers summoned the family. M- was particu larly invited to be present. She sunk into a corner of the room; the Bible was read, and in the prayer that followed, her case was distinctly and tenderly remembered.

The presses were not locked up that day, nor the cellar door fastened, nor even the clothes counted. At night she was well paid, and half a bundle extra to take home to the old mother. Week after week she came. Nothing was lost. We left her alone in the kitchen hour after hour. She went down to the cellar for the soap when she pleased. She saw the well-filled bar rels of meat, and sometimes a good large piece found its way into her bundle at night; but it was never stolen!

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The next Sabbath, in the pew nearest the door, sat the poor girl, with a warm cloak and hood.

Not long after this, I drew near to her one day, and enquired into the welfare of her soul; for if the soul has cost the blood of the Son of God, is it not worth a few poor words? So I said, "M, do you ever think that you must die, and are you prepared for eternity ?"

The poor creature stopped her washing, and burst into a flood of tears.

"Oh, I am so wretched. I am such a sinner."

"And how long have you felt wretched, M

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"Ever since I first entered this house, ma'am. That prayer which your husband offered for me went to my heart. I thought, Well, if the minister thinks I am worth praying for, I ought and will pray for myself."

It was true, that the Holy Spirit had found a way to the heart of this child of sin, awaking hope in despair. It was not in vain that she had come to pitch her tent so near the droppings of the sanctuary-that she had entered it, and listened to the voice of mercy, which reaches from heaven to earth, which now extended its hand to her, removing her heavy load of sin as "far as the east is from the west." It was not long before M found rest and peace in Christ. Oh, yes! poor M- found it as easily as the christian friends around her, who now looked kindly upon her, assisting her to bear the ills of life. "Just as easy for M to lay her burden at His feet and bear a song away" as for any of us.

Mnow had enough of employment. There was food enough and clothing enough for all. The little girls were sent to school; one of them proving a fine scholar, M determined to educate her! Yes, her money worked out by daily labour would pay for the child at the academy; and so to the academy she went; and there she continued,

year after year, pursuing the same course with the best scholars in the village.

Anne grew up a tall, slender girl, and M looked upon her with delight and gratitude. She was to be the pride and blessing of her old age, and repay her love and care. Every year added to the promise and prospects of the young girl, who was so nobly urging her way forward to usefulness and respectability.

But God had other purposes. Anne was cut off like a flower in the very bloom. A typhus fever laid her low; she lingered a week or two, and died.

It was a dreadful stroke to poor MShe was the next victim. She took the fever, and followed the child of her adoption and hard labour. The poor aged mother did not long survive, but left the world in peaceful hope of a better, through the redemption of Christ Jesus.

The little tenement was now closed up, but what riches of grace had visited its inhabitants!

It is easy to perceive that the instrumentalities in this case were very small. They cost nothing. A kind word, a prayer, a little risk, a little trust!

"No labours or watchings, no hunger or thirst, or cold or nakedness." Kind words to the erring, how easy; Punctual payments to the poor labourer, how necessary ! A watchful tenderness for the immortal Soul. Let us not forget a soul is worth a word! A soul is worth a prayer!

This story is not even garnished, every syllable is true. The time is short. Let us to-day look over our neighbourhood to see if beneath the shadow of the church, the school, the rich mansion, there may not be a lonely outcast for whom Christ died!

A WORD TO THE BEREAVED. "I spake unto thee in thy prosperity; but thou saidst, I will not hear."-Jer. xxii. 21.

Prosperity is not always a blessing. Ease sometimes genders hardness. Discipline is absolutely necessary. The Lord speaks to the prosperous, but they are too busy to attend. He brings a cloud over their affairs, he changes his dispensation, and says, "hear ye the rod," There is a parent be. reaved of a lovely child; it was an idol; or, if not, it was in a fair way of becoming so. The affections were set upon it. The Lord was displaced by it. It became absolutely necessary to remove it, for nothing else

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would do. The Lord had spoken by his word, by his ministers, by the gentle voice of his Spirit, but all was disregarded. The fond and foolish parent would not hear. Now the beloved object is taken away, and the idolater refuses to be comforted. Lord's ways are called mysterious. The heart rises in opposition, and it is just ready to indulge in hard thoughts of Him, or to murmur against Him. But it must not be. No, rather examine thy course. -Turn over the pages of thy past history. Attend to the Lord's enquiry, "Hast thou not procured this unto thyself, see thy way?"

An eastern shepherd had taught his flock to know his voice and follow him. But on one occasion, when the weather was fine, and all was pleasant, he wished to lead his flock to another spot. He called them to follow him; a ewe who was feeding with her lamb beside her, refused to do so. He turned and snatched up her lamb and carried it off in his bosom, and she readily henceforth followed his call. Just so the good Shepherd, when we allow our lambs so to engross our attention, or captivate our affections, that we neglect to hear his voice, and obey his call, takes our lamb, lays it in his bosom, saying, "follow me." Bereaved christian, has Jesus taken away your lamb? He has laid it in his bosom. He is carrying it to his Father's house. He will place it beyond the reach of the storm, the wolf, and painful disease. He is tender over it. He will take the utmost care of it. He will feed it, and lead it to living fountains of water. He will wipe away every tear from its eyes. It shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on it, nor any heat. It is safe. It is happy. It is at home. It knows its Shepherd's voice, is always in its Shepherd's presence, and enjoys its Shepherd's love. Happy lamb! Gracious Shepherd! Glorious flock!

Beloved! the Shepherd, who has your lamb in his bosom, still gently whispers, "follow me." He spoke to you in your prosperity, but you would not hear; he speaks to you now in your sadness and sorrow, listen and attend to his voice. Follow him into his chambers of secret communion, there he will soothe and solace your soul. Follow him into his ordinances where he feeds his flock, and he will make you to lie down in green pastures, and lead you beside the still waters; he will restore

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your soul. Follow him in the path of tribulation, with patient spirit and steady pace, and he will shew you the path of life, and conduct you to his Father's right hand, where there are pleasures for evermore. Look not for your missing lamb, but look up in the Shepherd's face; there love is enthroned in brightness, and sympathy speaks in tears. Look at the Shepherd's arms, your lamb is safe there; and look at his warm bosom, your lamb is happy there. It was necessary that he should thus try you, and you will see this by and bye. At present believe his word; he says, "I will do you no hurt." Believe his love to you, it is too great to suffer the presence of a rival, or to allow you to injure yourself by improper attachments. Had he loved you less, he might have spared your feelings. You might have retained your loved Can you regret that Jesus loves you so much? Could you wish him to love you less ? My friend, weep no longer. Dry up your tears. Listen to your Shepherd's voice. Follow in your Shepherd's footsteps. Detach your affections from earth and earthly things, and set them on those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. It is but a little while, and we shall have done with everything here, If the Lord had not taken your child now, you must have left it very soon; and if you had left it behind you in a world like this, who can tell what might have been its sufferings or its sorrows? If the Lord had not taken it from you, it may have been necessary that he should take you from it, and this might have been far worse. Your Saviour has done wisely, you will see this by and bye. Your Saviour has acted kindly, and the time is coming when you will acknowledge it. Silence, then, your complaints. Dry up your tears. Rise from your mourning. Go forth at thy Redeemer's call, and ask, as you fall in submission at his feet, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" We may anticipate his reply. "Love me more. Keep closer to my side. Speak to me more frequently, and more fully. Live for my Let nothing

honour. Walk by my word. occupy my place in your affections. Rest in my love to you. Rely on the promises I have made you. Attend to the cautions I

have given you.

Expect the mansion which

I am now preparing for you." Lord Jesus, let us not refuse to hear thee, but give us thy grace in such abundance, that we may

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My present communication may be of no use to you; however I will send it, as one of the curiosities of Church of England Romanism.

Mr. C, son of an Ipswich brewer, and Rector of Wortham, a man from whose ever active and fertile genius have proceeded books of fiction, poetry, and theology, lectures at Mechanics' Institutions on mesmerism, and speeches at Protectionist meetings, full of political ire, has delivered this extraordinary production to his school children, to be committed to memory by all who are capable, and repeated at church next Sunday,-thus aiming, as he supposes, a severe blow at certain contumacious Baptist mothers, who will not yield to him to have their children sprinkled.

I send you the enclosed as an exact copy from a printed sheet, which had no printer's or author's name attached; but the people in the village of Wortham think it is Mr. C's own composition, and I think this is very probably the case.

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II.

"'Twas all in vain!

No mother's care Could soothe the dying pang; He left his mother to despair; My child's cry wildly rang,

'My soul burns, mother, with my frame, But water I denied!

Forbade its use in Christ's pure name,I killed him in my pride.

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*We have bad the above several months in hand, but have been unable sooner to find room for it.

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filthy beds, and a hearth without a a chimney, the smoke having to find its way out through the rafters. Here dwelt a man, his wife, and two daughters. The latter only were at home. I accosted the elder, whose age was eleven years, and asked her, "Who was Jesus Christ?' She could not tell. A man or a woman?' After some hesitation, and apparently at a guess, A man.' 'Did he die in his bed, or was he drowned at sea ?' 'I don't know.' 'What did he come into the world to do ?" She could not tell. 'What is your name?" 'C— 'Who gave you that name?' 'My godfathers and godmothers, in my baptism, wherein I was made a member of Christ,' &c. So here was a child telling us she was a member of Christ by baptism, and did not know who Christ was! in spite of this ignorance of the very elements of christian knowledge, this child, according to the teaching of the Church of England, was a Child of God, and an inheritor of the kingdom of heaven'!"

Yet,

Notices of Books.

THE GOSPEL IN CENTRAL AMERICA; CON-
TAINING A SKETCH OF THE COUNTRY, AND
A HISTORY OF THE BAPTIST MISSION IN
BRITISH HONDURAS, &c. BY FREDERIC
CROWE. Pp. 588.
London: Charles
Gilpin.

Mr. Crowe's object in this volume is to "awaken interest in Central America as a field for missionary enterprise, and also to restore to practical action and add greater efficiency to the more than electric thread of christian sympathy and fellowship long imperfectly uniting the church in British Honduras with the churches in Great Britain." He is himself a labourer in connexion with the Baptist church in Belize, British Honduras; and we understand he purposes to return almost immediately to the scene of his former labours, in which his devotedness was proved by an almost unprecedented amount of suffering and persecution. The first part of the volume, upon which alone we express any opinion, contains a large amount of information respecting a country about which little has heretofore been known, and in the spiritual condition of which little interest has been

felt. The information given is divided into sections, under the respective heads of Physical and Geographical, Historical and Political, and Moral and Religious; and, considering how little practice the author must have had in composition before the preparation of this volume, we have been surprised at the spirit with which he has written, and the interest which he has thrown into his narrative throughout. We hope that Mr. Crowe's varied exertions will at least have the effect of directing attention to the important sphere of labour which Central America presents. We understand that he has obtained encouraging promises of help in his own efforts, and in those of the church with which he is connected. In our next number we shall present our readers with an interesting extract.

SACRED HISTORY, FROM THE CREATION OF THE WORLD TO THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM, FOR THE USE OF SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES, &c. EDITED BY HENRY WHITE, B.A. Pp. 187. Edinburgh:

Oliver and Boyd.

The History in this cheap little Manual is very appropriately divided into Periods

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